Multiple wheel compartment projector



y 1951 M. L. DORNELLAS MULTIPLE WHEEL COMPARTMENT PROJECTOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1948 Inks 17227.2

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fIYI EJ'Z ZUr L. UWwZZaS 21g 4. fiwww EH35 M. L. D'ORNELLAS MULTIPLE WHEEL COMPARTMENT PROJECTOR July 24, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed July 7, 1948 v [HI Er) for Mmzzei L. 'dflwzeiiaa Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE WHEEL COMPARTMENT PROJECTOR 13 Claims.

This invention relates to cinema projectors. and more particularly to a multi-reel cinema projector.

y In projectors adapted to project cinema or socalled moving pictures, the usual practice is to have a single reel mounted in the projector and to change reels at the end of each film. This causes undue dela and annoyance to the audience.

. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cinema projector which will reduce the delay between the showings of reels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cinema projector which. will eliminate waste time required to rewind films.

A further object of the invention is to provide a single cinema. projector which will be capable of performing the functions of a plurality of projectors.

It is another object of the invention to reduce the cost and increase the efliciency of cinema, projectors.

Another object is to provide a cinema projector having a plurality of reels mounted therein in which portions of a reel may be shown intermediate the showing of portions of other reels.

7 A still further objectof the invention is to provide a cinema projector having a plurality of reels which will automatically rewind each reel after exposure.

It is also an object of the invention to provide 9 a cinema projector which will shut down the machine at the conclusion of a reel.

A. further object is. to provide a cinema projector in which any one of a plurality of reels may be. selected for projection.

Another object of, the invention is to provide a cinema projector which will automatically start operation of the machine upon positioning of a film in projecting position.

A further object is to provide a cinema projector in which a plurality of reels may be set up in the machine. in advance to be projected and automatically rewound at the conclusion of each reel.

A still further object of. the. invention is to provide a cinema projector which will reduce the amount. of work required, to. operate the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cinema projector having. a projecting position and a plurality of reels mounted in said machine in which reelsv out of projecting position are automatically rewound.

A. still further object is to provide a, cinema projector with an. automatic rewind. which. will 2 automatically cut out prior to disengagement of the film on the rewind reel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified rewind mechanism for cinema projectors.

A further object is to provide an improved and simplified selector for cinema projectors.

In accordance with the general features of this invention there is provided in a cinema projector including a housing and picture projecting light means, multiple sets of film reels in the housing, each set including a supply reel and a windup reel, and means for selectively and bodily shifting, the sets of reels in the housing to position any desired supply reel in projecting position without necessitating removal of any of the reels from the housing.v

Another object is to provide an improved takeup mechanism for the rewind reel in cinema projectors.

Anotherieatureof the invention relates to providing in the foregoing projector means for contemporaneou'sly positioning previously used supply reel in a rewind position.

Still another feature relates to the provision in the aforesaid projector of means automatically operable upon shifting of the reels to rewind the film back on the previously used reel withoutv necessitating removal of each used reel and its wind-up reel from the projector.

Yet another feature of the invention relates to the provision in the foregoing projector of a selective means in the form of manually accessible means for effecting shifting of the reels and. changing of one film to another for protection without. removal of the reels and film from thehousing;

A further feature of the invention relates to providing a selective means in the form of man ually operable push buttons corresponding in number to the number of sets of the reels.

An additional and further feature of the invention relates to the provision in the aforesaid projector of soundtrack means positioned to cooperate automatically with any one of the films shifted into projecting position.

A still further detail feature of the invention relates to the provisionof means for shifting the picture projecting. light means when the reels are shifted whereby clearance is provided for the'film. to be movedinto and out of position without interference with the picture projecting light means,

Other objects will become apparent when considering the following specification, which, when considered with the accompanying drawings, constitute a preferred form of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of the entire machine with parts thereof being broken away to more clearly illustrate other parts and portions of the machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through the machine taken on the line II--II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the machine and is a cross section taken on the line IIL-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross section taken on the line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross section through the film reels and the guide spools, and is a cross section taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 3;

, Figure '1 is a transverse fragmental cross section taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

. Figure 8 is a wiring diagram showing the operation of the electric circuit in the machine;

Figure 9 is a transverse cross section similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification of the projector particularly adapted for sound reproduction.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second modification of the invention showing an automatic filmselector; and

Figure 11 is a cross section taken on the line X[XI of Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, the projector is built in a case 28 which may be roughly rectangular in shape and formed with a partition 2I adjacent one end dividing the case 28 into two compartments generally designated 22 and 23'. Access to the compartment 23 may be had through a door 24 having one end thereof connected to said compartment through a hinge 24 (Figure 2).

The compartment 22 contains a motor 25 which furnishes power to operate all moving parts in the machine and a light 21 to furnish the illumination required for projection. The motor 25 has a belt drive 28 which turns a claw shaft 38. The shaft 38 contains a shutter 32, the shutter comprising a hub 33 mounted on the shaft and a pair of oppositely disposed blades 34--34. The shutter 32 is mounted on the shaft 38 between the light 21 and a light tube 35, the light tube projecting through the partition and directly aligned with the light 21. The light tube 35 terminates in a right angle prism 31 which is adaptedto receive the illumination from the light 21, bend the rays thereof at right angles to their original direction and project the same through a lens 48, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The claw shaft 38 has a pulley '42 thereon which drives a hollow rewind shaft through a suitable belt 46. The hollow rewind shaft 45 may be mounted between an external bearing 48 in the partition 2| and an internal bearing 58 mounted on a stationary hollow shaft 52 running through the shaft 45. A bearing 55 (Figure 2) is mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 52 from the bearing 58 and supports the outer end rewind shaft 45.

Returning again to Figure 1, the claw shaft 38 contains a third pulley 56 which drives a belt 58, which turns a take-up shaft 68. The

take-up shaft 68, in turn, has a pulley 62 mounted thereon which drives a pulley 33, the pulley 83 of the hollow I88 (Figure 3).

turning a drive shaft 65. The shafts 68 and 85 may be mounted between the bearings in the walls of the compartment 22 and operate in tubes 66 and 61, respectively, which are formed integrally on the wall 2| perpendicular thereto, as best seen in Figure 2, and project into the compartment 23 toward a multiple, reel case generally designated I8. The tubes .88 and 61 each contain bearings 12 at both ends of the tubes 68 .and 61, which support the shafts 68 and through substantially their entire length.

Again referring to Figure, 2 the reel case 18 may be formed of a plurality of separate compartments 14, 14a, 14b and 140, the letters a, b and c designating compartments identical to 14, which of themselves will not be described in detail, the description of one of which serves for all. In the ensuing portion of this specification, a similar designation will be carried out for other parts, the lettered parts corresponding to a similar part unlettered.

Compartments 14 are composed of an L-shaped plate 15, having a hinge IS on the outer end of the shorter leg of the L, which is adapted to be connected to the next plate 15, each plate 15 forming a partition between two adjacent compartments. An end plate 15 provides a closure for the first compartment. The open legs of the longer of the sides of the L are held together in properly spaced relation by a gang lock 18, which simultaneously spaces the open ends of the L and locks the same in properly spaced positions. Each side of the compartments 15 is provided with a plurality of apertures. The upper portion of the compartments contain apertures 88 about which bearings 82 are mounted on both' sides of each plate 15. The bearings 82 thus project inwardly on both sides of each compartapertures to rotatably support drive spools 85,

85a, 85b and 850. The drive spools are adapted to receive the film from the reel 84, as best seen in Figures 3 and 7, which is guided around rollers 81 onto the drive spools 85, from whence the film projects through guides 98 to a loop 9 I. The loop 9| carries a film in between the lens 48 and the prism 31 for actuation by a claw 93. The claw 93 is connected to the claw shaft 38 by a flexible cable 95, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5.

The opposite end of the loop 9| passes through a guide 96 over rollers 91 from whence it passes over the drive spool 85 and onto the rewind reels The rewind reels I88 are mounted on bearings I82, I82a, I82b, I820 similar to bearings 82, supported by the walls 15, 15a, 15b,

. 15c, and the walls 15 of the multiple reel case 18. The bearing I82 surrounds apertures in the wall to permit the reel case 18 to pass over a driving spindle I85 on the end of the take-up shaft 68. Similarly, the hollow interiors of the guide spools 85, 85a, 85b, 85c pass over a drive element I81 mounted on the end of the drive.

shaft 65. 7

Driving spindles I85 and I81 are driven synchronously from the motor 25 as heretofore explained. Both driving spindles I85 and I81 have spring fingers I88 and I89, respectively, which bow outwardly to engage projections in the interiors of the reels I88, l88a, I881), I880, and the spools 85, 85a, 85b, 850, respectively, to drive those elements when those elements are in projecting position in the machine.

The entire multiple reel case is receivable in the machine through the door 24, the multiple r fil case 10 being receivable over the hollow rewind shaft 45 and over the end of the drive spindles I85 and I01. The multiple reel case "I0 is adapted to be slid along to one of four positions on the shaft 45 so as to successively or selectlvely bring one of the reels 04, 84c, 8411,840 opposite the lens 40 by means of a shifting mech anism, best shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Referring to those figures, and particularly to Figure 1, the shifting mechanism is built on a shaft I I2 mounted between the walls of compartment 23. The shaft II2 has a lever and handle II3 fixed. thereon which is adapted to rotate the shaft in shifting the reels. The shaft H2 is adapted to slide and rotate in the two walls of the compartment. The shaft has a pair of parallel arms II4 mounted therein which carry a rod II5. The rod H5 is engageable in an aperture in an upstanding leg III of a crank H8. The crank turns a vertical shaft I20. The shaft, as will be seen in Figures 4 and 5, has a yoke I 2I mounted thereon which engages trunnions I23 on the lens box 40 to move the lens box out of engagement with the prism 31. When the lens box 40 is moved out of engagement with the prism 31, the lever- II3 may be moved to shift the shaft I I2 longitudinally in the machine. The shaft I I2 being connected to the multiple reel case I0 through a link I25 moves the entire multiple reel case along the rewind shaft 45 to a position corresponding to notches I26. The notches I26 are so positioned in a slot I2'I that when the lever H3 is moved into the notch, a film from a corresponding reel 84 04a, 84b, 840 is opposite the lens box 40. H3 into the slot moves the film box back into engagement with the prism 31' and clamps the reel in position for projection;

A switch I is pivoted about a point I3I (Figure 5) on the top of the lens box and is moved out of engagement with the film by a link I32 to the dotted position I30 when the lens box moves forwardly away from the prism 31. In this position the contacts of the switch are-separated and the circuit is broken. The same result is attained when the film is completely run, in which post tion the arm of the switch adjacent the film moves into a notchon the film to break the circuit across the switch. The effect of the breaking of the circuit to the switch I30 will be discussed below.

As will be seen from Figure l, the shafts 60 and 65. and the. hollow rewind shaft operate con-- stantly as long as the. motor 25 is running. The shalt/45 contains a plurality of electromagnets 135a, .I-35b. and I35c, and I35a", I351), I350, which are mounted on the stationary hollow shaft 52. The magnets I35 do not rotate with the. shaft 45 but. are stationary on the shaft 52. The shaft. 45 has a plurality of apertures. therein which receive the inturned ends of spring drive members I36. The shaft 45 is also deformed inwardly to form depressions Iii-l so that the central portion f he s ng dri e memb rs lit will lie, in the; depressions I31 when the drive members I36 are in. h r normal unfiiexcd os tion... The: driv m mbers. .55 ar mov d 1 130 t ir fl xed bfl id' positi n as. shown ppo ite t e eel 8. a Rig-ore; 2, by ma ne izat on. o he; ree s 135.11,,v 351... I3i5e lei 135 a". I wh n. fl ed... as s n or: nos te th gures 6; and: 7:) the. pring driv membe s I36 engage projections I38 in he ree s; Mama Qt Q o rewindtthe film from Moving the lever- 6 the reels I00, I00a, I00b, I000 over the drive spool and onto the original reel 84, 84a, 04b, 840 when the reels are out of projecting position, as will be clear from the explanation of the wiring diagram shown in Figure 8.

Control switches I 40, l40a, I40b, I40c (Figures 1 and 3) are mounted on the long legs of the L-sha-ped compartments I4 approximately opposite the rollers 01. The switches I40 are normally open and are closed at the beginning of the reel when the longer arm of the switch I40 feeling the edge of the film drops into a notch at the beginning thereof. The switch I40 is adapted to stop rewinding of the film, as will be explained in a description of Figure 8.

similarly, electromagnets or relays I4I are mounted in each compartment 14, 14a, 14b, 14c adjacent the switches I40 and are controlled thereby. The magnets l4I are adapted when en.- ergized to open switches I43a, I432), I430 and I43a, I432), I430. The switches I43are mounted from the side wall of the compartment 23, a switch being provided for each possible position of each of the reels except the projecting position. The switches I43 are stationary and do not move with the multiple reel case10'.

Referring to Figure 8, which shows the electrical connections of the machine together with the film .04 from the reel 84, the film 84a from the reel 341;, the film 84b from the reel 84b, and the film 840" from the reel 040, the power enters the machine from any given source through a pair of conductors I50 and passes a master switch I5I (which may be a hand actuated snap switch) to start the machine.

If a film 84, 340,4, 84b or 840 is in projecting position (in the instant case reel 84 being shown in projecting position) then the switch I 30 feels h left-hand ed of the film 8. and is closed thereby to complete the, circuit to the motor 25 and. the l h 2 thus star ng h m t a d lighing the light simultaneously. At the completion of the reel 84, the feeler finger of the switch 130, d ops into a camming recess 01" n tch 5 pen n h switc 1. utting off the power to the motor 2. and. the li h and stoppin opratio o the machi During the. time the film 84 is being projected, the current also flows from the line I50 to switches I40, I'40a, I401), I400. In the normal position, i. e. the reel partly shown, the feeler arm of switch I40 rides in the position shown in filmtfi", maintaining the switch open thus preventing power from reaching the electromagnets I41, I4Ia I'4Ib, I4Ie from, the line I50.

When there is no current. in, the magnets I4I,

I4Ia, I4Ib, I4'Ic,'th e switches. I43 are closed. When the switches. I430 I43b, I430, and MM, I431 l4j3c' are closed, power is supplied from the lines I50 to the switches I43, to the electromagnets I35a, I351), I350 and BM, I'35bf, l35c,'

respectively, in the hollow shaft 45, causing those magnets to draw the two ends of the spring drive. members I35 tow rd he ma nets (a en in F ure 6) and how th center portion thereof. outwardly into engagement with the projections I38, on the reel 84, 84a, 84b, or 84a to rewind, the film 84', 84a, 8411', or 840, on their respective reels. When the reel approaches. the beinning thereon th feeler arms on the switches I40 drop into cammi-ng recesses or notches I53a, I532), I530, in the film to close the switch and energize the respective magnets I4I 141a,. I4I;b,,

Ilia thus. opening the conta ts 3a and, decee si ns t e, mag e s fiiai I350. I350. or 1 I351), I 350', to allow the spring drive members.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 9- is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 8, and similar parts will be designated by similar letters, and no further description of such parts will be given.

Referring to Figure 9, the reels are mounted in a multiple reel case I60, containing a plurality of reels I6I which contain film I6 I which passes over a drive spool I63 and held therein by rollers I65. The film I6I passes in a loop I62 between the prism 31 and the lens box 40, back to the spool and past a sound feeler I10, from whence it returns to the drive spool I63 and to the rewind reel I12.

The sound feeler reproduces the sound from a sound track on the edge of the film and transmits the sound to loud speakers (not shown).

The remaining portion of Figure 9 will be readily understood from the forgeoing description of Figures 1 to 8, inclusive.

Operation In operation, the projector is first loaded by opening the door 24 about the hinge 24, and removing the multiple reel case 10. The gang lock 18 is unlocked and the three compartments 14, 14a, 14b are hinged back to expose compartment 14c. A reel of film 840 is placed between the bearings 82c and the film threaded under the rollers 81c and over the drive sprocket 050,

with the apertures in the edge of the film en-- gaging corresponding teeth on the sprocket. The film is threaded through the guide 80 into a loop 8|, back through the guide 96, under the rollers 91, over the drive spool 85, and fastened to the rewind reel Ic.

The next section of the multiple reel case is then folded down on the section 140, so that the upper bearings 82c engage the reel 84c and the lower bearings I020 engage the rewind reel I000. The reels 84b, 84a, 84 are then setup in theircompartments in a similar manner, and the gang lock 18 locked over the plate to complete the unit It will be noted that each of the reels 84, 84a,. 84b and 840 have similar loops 9| projecting in" front of the multiple reel case. The loaded multi:

ple reel case may then be inserted in the machine with the reels 84, 84a, 84b, 84c fitting over the hollow rewind shaft 45 and the first spool 85 engaging over the drive spindle I01, and the first rewind reel I00 engaging over the take-up spindle I05. One of the loops 9| will then lie betweentheprism 31 and the lens box 40.

The link I25 may then be connected to the multiple film case 10 by means of a thumb screw I25 and the multiple film case 10 moved by means of the lever and handle I I3 so as to place any film desired in projecting position opposite the lens box 40. of the notches I26 turns the shaft I20, causing theyoke I2I to move the lens box to the rear into engagement with the film loop 9|. When the lever H3 is engaged in one of the notches I26, one of the films 84, 84a, 841) or 840' is directly opposite the lens box 40 and 'hence' may be clamped in position to be projected. When the loop SI of one of the films 84 is clamped in position by movement to the rear of the lens box 40.

Moving the lever I I3 into one theswitch I30 is moved into engagement with the left ,edge of the film, as seenin Figure 5, closing the switch. If the master switch I51 is also,

closed, current flows through the lines I50,

through the switch 1 I5I, and through the switch, I30 to start the motor 25 and light the light21.-,

The light 21 throws its rays down the light tube 35 where they ,arebent at right angles by the" prism 31 to pass through the film 84' and the lens box 40 to project film 84' onto the screen (not shown).

The motor 25, when started, drives the claw shaft 30 through the'belt 28 to rotate the flexible shaft and thecrank shaft As the crank shaft 05 rotates, it oscillates the claw 93, the end of which moves up and down to alternatelyengage in the apertures in the edge of the film 841, advance the film one frame, retract from the; film, and return to its upper position toagain,

engage the film. As the film 04 moves under the influence of the claw 93 and the drive shaft I0,'I,

the solid blades 34 of the shutter 32 pass between the light source 21 and the light tube 35 to cut off light from the light tube.

, During the time the film is stationary, as the claw returns from its lowermost position to its,

uppermost position, the blank portions ofv the shutter 32 are opposite the light tube 35 to permit light to be projected from the source 21 through the film. l It will be noted that as the claw 93 moves the film :past the lens, the drive shaft 65, whichis ment of the claw 93 so that film feeds to the claw f at the same rate as the speed of the claw. Itwill also be noted that the reel I00 during periodsof exhibiting a film from the reel 84 is rotated byv the take-up spindle I05 through the constantly rotating shaft 60.

At the end of each film, on the left hand side thereof, as seen in Figures 5 and 8, is a notch I52 which extends for a considerable length on the film. When the switch I30 engages the notch I52, the switch I30 opens to break the circuit from the power line I50 through both the motor 25 and the light 21. Power is also cut off from the relays I4I, I4Ia, I4Ib, I4Ic, and also the magnets I35a, I351), I350, and I35a', I35b', I350. The reels 04 may then be shifted by disengaging the lever I I3 from its notch I26 which moves the lens box 40 out of engagement with the prism 31 whichfrees the projected film for movement. The lever H3 may then be moved in the slot I21 until it is opposite a desired notch I26. When the lever I I3 is opposite a notch I26, another film.

across the switch I30, the light 21 relights and the motor 25 restarts to drive shafts 30, 45,60 and 65. I

With the film 84' previously projected from the reel 84 and wound on the rewind reel I00, the reels 84 and I00 upon movement of the lever II3 would come opposite a non-projecting position on the shaft 45. In this position the feeler switch I40 would be riding along the right hand edge of the film, as seen in Figures 1 and 8, and would normally be open. The relays I4I, Illa,

lb, I4 I would also be deenergized, and switches I430, I431), I430 and I430, M31), I430" opposite adeenergized relay I4I-, I4Ia, I4Ib, I4Iow'ou1d be closed. Current would. then flow from the line I50 through the closed switch I55, through eachof the cl'osedswitches I430, I432), I430 and I430, I43b, I330", to energize the corresponding magnets I350, I35b, I350 and I35a, I351), I350, causing the magnets to attract opposite ends of the bowed clutch member I36 and to bow the center of the member I36 outwar'dly'into engagement with its reel 84, 840, 841'), 840 to rewind the film from the corresponding reels I00, I000, I00b, I000.

At the completion of the rewind Operation,

the Switch I40, I4Ila, I402), I400, engage notches I53, I530, I531), I530, in the right hand edge of the film, permitting the switches I40, I400, I40b, 0 6 to close and energize the correspondin relay I41, I4Ia, I4Ib, I4Ic. Closing the relays I4I, I4Ia,

lb, I410, will open the correspondin switch I430, I431), I430 and I430", I431), I430 tobreak the circuit to the magnets I350, I351), I350 or I350, I351), I350. When the magnets I350, I351), I350 and I35a I352), I350 are deenergized they release the bowed clutch I36 and stop rewindin'g of the film. Thus' the beginning of the film is retained on the lower or'rewind drum andm'ay be projected at a later period by" again shifting that film to projecting'position. Similarly, the next two films may be projected either on the order set up or at will; If it is desired to project a; part of a. film and intersperce between the parts of a film parts of a' difierent film, the switch I55 is opened, thus stopping the actuation of the entire rewind mechanism and permitting the film to be partly shown, another film partly shown, and the first film continued at the place Where projection was'halt'ed.

It will be noted in regard to this construction that there is no magnet I35 opposite the projecting position since rewinding the reels 84 does not occur until the reel is out of projecting position. I

It will also be noted that the drive spindles I05 and I 0! operate only on the film in projecting position, and hence there is no power on any drive spindle out of projecting position or on any rewind reel out of projecting position, and the film may be completely rewound on its corresponding reel when out of projecting position.

Referring now to Figures 1-0 and 11 which show a' modification comprising an automatic selector for use with the'projector, the filmcases15, a, 15b and 150 have an ear I15 retaining apin Ill. The pin is engaged by a connecting rod lab-which joins the pin I'TI' with a yoke I81. The yoke I'8 I slides in a frame I83 supported from the case (Figure 1:). The yoke: I8 I is provided with teeth I85 on the innerperiphery' thereof on which a gear: I81 operates; The gear I81 ismounted on a shaft I88, which is in turn bearinged in the projector case 20 so that as the' gear I81 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow, it recipfocates the yoke I8'I lateral-lyinthe frame I831 The yoke I8I is provided with apair of slots I80, I9I, running. for the length of movement of the yoke I8I in the frame I83. The slots have openings I93 and I 94 between ends of the slots to permit a finger I95 formed on theframe I83 and receivableinthe-slotsto pass fromthe upper to the lower slot at the end of the movement ofthe yoke I8-I.

As the gear- I8I rotates in the direction shown, movingv the yoke IBI from theposition shown in Figure 10 and toward the left, the finger I95 rides in the lower slot I I9 and the left-handside ofthe yoke I8I is held above the bottom of the frame I8'3 by a spring I98. When the yoke I8I is at its'left-hand extremity of movement, teeth I are engaged in the gear IB'I forcing that end of the-yoke down and bringing the finger I95 into engagement with the upper slot I90.

Further rotation of the gear I8I starts the return stroke of the yoke I8I along teeth I85", the finger I85 riding in the upper slot I and a spring 200 urging the right-hand side of the yoke IBI against the bottom of the frame I83. When the yoke I8! is at the extreme other or right-hand end-' of its stroke, the gear I 81 engages teeth I 850 on the yoke, forcing the yoke up, and the finger I then enters lower slot I8'I The gear I81 isdriven by a pair of bevelled gears 2M, 2-02 by a servo motor 204. The motor" is wound and kept" constantly tensioned by the mofor" 25, a friction clutch 208 being provided to stop rewinding of the servo motor whenit is properly tensioned. operation of the servomotor is controlled by astop means comprising" a bracket 2I0 fixedt'o' the frame I83 and carrying pivotally finger 2II, one end of which is norn'izillyengageable withthe teeth 185" along the upper side of theyoke' I8 I.

An electromagnet 213 is adapted upon energiz'ation to raise" one end or the finger all to release the rack for movement by the servoinotor 204. Energization of the magnet 213 is controlled by adisc 21 5, mounted onthe shaft I88 and rotatably' therewith. The disc 215 is rovided with plurality of staggered insulated spots H6, 2150, Z-IBI) and 2 I50. A plurality of manually and selectively engageable buttons'2l8, 2'I8a, 2'I8'l) and 2080' are each pr'ovided with a contactor 220 which; when a button is depressed, moves into engagement with the disc 215-, thus completing the circuit front the battery through one ofthe contacts 22 0, 22 8a,- 2300" or 2200, and through a brush 22 2 to electromagnet 213. The ener gization of magnet 2 I3 draws the right-hand end of the finger 2 I I into engagement with the magnet and' releasesthe rack I'8=I' for movement by" the 'servomotor Theins'ulatingcontacts MB; 2160', 2I6b and 2-"I6c' are'so'staggered' radially around the disc as to be contacted by their respective con,- tacts 220', 2200, 2201) and 2200. Their position circumferentially' on the disc is such that the insulating contacts 216, 2480, 2I'6b and 2160 fall under their respective contacts 220, 2280', 220i) and 2 21)c-'a't-positions when" the-film cases I5, 15a, 15b anicl are in position to project film from that case.

When a contact 220 rides over an insulating contact 216,- thecurrentis broken to the electroma net 2I3 and a Iet t-han'd end of the finger 21" I drops; allowing the finger to engage in the rackand stop the movement of the yoke I 8 I in position to project a film. When a button is pressed, the lower side of the button presses against the rod-225',- which operates a: bell crank lever 22'! which turns a rod 230 under the influence of a spring 23L The rod 230 moves the lens box Wont of engagement with the film to permit the' film cases i5; 75a, 15b and I50 to move.

In operation A film is selected for projection by pressing one of the buttons 2T8, 2I8a, 2I8b and 2I80. Pressing the buttons M8, M80, 2I8b and 2'I 80 moves the free end of the bell crank lever 22'! upwardly, turning the rod 230' and separating the lens box; 40" from the fuse. Simultaneously contact is made between one of the contacts 220, 220a, 2201) and 2200 and the disc 2I5, causing current to flow from the battery through the contacts 2211, 220a, 2201) and 2200, through the disc 2I5, through the brush 222, to energize the electromagnet 2 I3, causing the finger 2| I to move upwardly and out of engagement with the rack I85", and permit the servomotor 204 to drive gears 2M, 202 and N31, to simultaneously move the rack I8I and turn the disc 2 I5.

Moving the rack |8I moves the film cases 15, 15a, 15b and 150 on the rewind tube 45 (Figure 1). When the proper film is indicated by the buttons 2I8, 2IBa, 2I8b and 2I8c and comes opposite the lens, the contacts 220, 220a, 2202) and 2200 engages with the corresponding contact 2H5, 2I6a, 2I6b and 2I6c to break the contact to the electromagnet and causes the finger 2 to engage in the rack I85" and stop movement of the yoke I8 I.

The button 2I8, 2I8a, 2I8b or M80 is then released and the spring 23I acts on the rod 230 to reengage the projecting lens 40 with the film and start projection.

It will be noted that while I have illustrated my invention as being used with cinema projectors it can be employed equally well with other types of reproducers such as well known sound recorders and reproducers using magnetized wire and tapes in lieu of film.

It will be realized that the hereinabove described invention is to be taken merely as a preferred form thereof and that various changes in size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

That which is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a projector, a multiple reel case comprising a plurality of compartments, means to rotatably support a reel of film in each of said compartments, means to support a rewind reel in each of said compartments, means to mount said multiple reel case in said projector, and

means to shift bodily said multiple reel case in the projector to bring a selected film into projecting position said compartments having hinged side plates permitting pivoting separation of said compartments for replacing one reel without disturbing reels in adjacent compartments.

2. In a projector including a projecting lens and a source of light, a reel case, a first reel containing a film to be projected, means to mount said reel rotatably in one end of said film case, a second reel in a plane of said first reel adapted to receive projected film from said first reel, means to mount said second reel rotatably in the opposite end of said multiple reel case, a drive spool, means to mount said drive spool rotatably in said reel case intermediate said reels, said drive spool receiving film from said first named reel to guide the same past the projecting lens and deliver the projected film to said second named reel, a hollow rotating shaft adapted to mount said reel case, means to move said reel case on said rotating shaft to shift said film into and out of projecting position, means when said film is in projecting position to drive said spool and said second named reel, an electromagnetic clutch in said rotating shaft adapted to engage the first named reel when said film is out of projecting position to rewind film from said second named reel onto said first named reel, and means I to disengage said clutch at a desired point onitlie film to stop rewinding.

. 3. In a projector including a projecting lens and a source of light, a reel case, a first reel containing a film to be projected, means to mount said reel rotatably in one end of said film case, a second reel in a plane of said first reel adapted to receive projected film from said first reel, means to mount said second reel rotatably in the opposite end of said multiple reel case, a drive spool, means to mount said drive spool rotatably in said reel case intermediate said reels, said drive spool receiving film from said first named reel to guidethe same past the projecting lens and deliver the projected film to said. second named reel, a shaft adapted to mount said reel holder, means to rotate said shaft constantly, means to move said. reel case axially on said shaft to shift said film into and out of projecting position, means when a film is in projecting positio to drive said spool and said second named rel in a direction contra to said shaft, means on said rotating shaft to engage the first named reel when said film is out of projecting position to rewind film from said second named reel onto said first named reel, and means to disengagesaid last named means to stop rewinding at a desired point on the film. I

4. In a, projector including a projecting lens and a source of light, a reel case, a pair of spaced bearings mounted in said reel case, a first reel containing a film to be projectedmounted in one end of said film case on oneof said bearings, a second reel in a plane of said first reel adapted to receive projected film from said first reel, said second reel being mounted to rotate on the other said bearing in the opposite end of said multiple reel case, a drive spool, means to mount said drive spool rotatably in said reelcase intermediate said reels, said drive spool receiving film from said first named reel to guide the same past the projecting lens and deliver the projected film, to said second named reel when said reel is in projecting position, ahollow shaft adapted to mount said reel holder, means to rotate said shaft cone stantly in one direction, means to move said reel case axially on said rotating shaft to shift said film into and out of projecting position, means when a film is in projecting position to drive said spool and said second named reel in a direction contra to said shaft, a magnetic clutch in said rotating shaft to engage the first named reel when said film is out of projecting position to rewind film from said second named reel onto said first named reel, and means to disengage clutch at a desired point on the film.

5. In a projector including a source of light and a projecting lens, a support structure, a carriage slidably movable on said structure, a plurality of reels secured to said carriage for movement to and from projecting position, a power driven gear mechanism tending to slide said carriage, a trip engaging said carriage to prevent movement thereof, a magnet for releasing said trip to permit movement of said carriage, a plurality of selectively operable levers corresponding respectively to said reels, each lever being effec-' tive upon actuation to energize said magnet and release said trip, a disk driven by said gear mechanism having contact points spaced according to the spacing of said reels on said carriage, each contact point being movable against a corre sponding lever to de-energize said magnet and reset said trip only when said lever has been selectively actuated.

and a projecting lens, a support structurejacarriage slidably mounted in said'structure, power means tending to slide said carriage, a plurality of film carrying reels secured to said carriage for movement therewith, the movement of said carriage determining the selective positioning of the film from one of said reels in projecting position, a trip mechanism engaging said carriage to prevent movement thereofia selectively operable lever corresponding to each reel and connected to said trip mechanism for releasingsaid carriage for sliding movement by said power means, an indexing means driven by said power means and having contact members corresponding respectively to said reels, the contact of one of said members with a selectively operated lever efiecting resetting of said trip mechanism and stopping of said carriage with the selected reel in projecting position.

7. In a projector, a support structure, a lens housing on said structure, a carriage slidable in said structure, a plurality of aligned supply and rewind reels mounted on said carriage for movement to and from projecting position adjacent said lens housing, a mechanism mounted for sliding movement on said housing and arranged to intermittently contact said film to move it from a supply reel to a rewind reel, a linkage for sliding said mechanism, a power driven gear mechanism operable to actuate said linkage and to slide said carriage, a trip engaging said carriage to prevent movement thereof, a magnet for releasing said trip to permit movement of said carriage, a plurality of selectively operable levers corresponding respectively to said reels, each lever being effective upon actuation to energize said magnet to release said trip and actuate said linkage, a disk driven by said gear mechanism having contact points spaced according to the spacing of said reels on said carriage, each contact point being movable against a corresponding lever to ale-energize said magnet and reset said trip.

8. In a projectona multiple reel case comprising a plurality of compartments, means to rotatably support a reel of film in each of said compartments, means to support a rewind reel in each of said compartments, a rotating shaft having a portion disposed in said multiple reel case, means to shift said multiple reel case in said projector to bring a selected film into projecting position, and individually operable connecting means on said rotating shaft for connecting the same to any of said first named reels which has had its film projected to rewind the film on the reel when the same is out of projecting position within the projector.

9. In a projector, a multiple reel case comprising a plurality of compartments, means to rotatably support a reel of film in each of said compartments, means to support a rewind reel in each of said compartments, a rotating shaft having a portion disposed in said multiple reel case, means to shift said multiple reel case in said projector to bring a selected film into projecting position, individually operable connecting means associated with said rotating shaft for connecting the same to any of said first named reels which has had its film projected to rewind the film on the reel when the same is out of projecting position within the projector, and means to stop the rewinding operation before the end of the film.

creases 10. In a projector of'the character described, a multiple reel case comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment adapted to hold a film reel, a bearing in each of said compartments adapted to receive the reel and rotatably supportth same in said compartment, a second bearing in each compartment, a second reel in each compartment adapted to be received and rotatablysupported by said second bearing, said second reel receiving film from said first reel, a rotating shaft adapted to receive and support said multiple reel case in thecinema projector with the film from one of said reels lying in projecting position, means to shift said multiple reel case axially on said shaft to selectively position each of said reels, and individually operable clutches associated with said rotating shaft for rewinding any projected film on its corresponding first mentioned reel during the projection of the film on any of the other of said first mentioned reels.

11. In a projector including a housing and.

picture projecting light means, a plurality of sets of film reels in said housing, each set including a supply reel and a wind-up reel, means for selectively and bodily shifting said set of reels in the housing to position any desired supply reel in projecting position and contemporaneously positioning the previously used supply reel in rewind position, and independent drive means automatically operable upon shifting of the reels to rewind the film back on the previously used reel, said drive means including individually operable clutches operable for rewinding the previously projected film contemporaneously with the projection of film on any other reel.

12. In a projector, a reel case, a supply reel and a rewind reel rotatably mounted in said case, a film disposed around said reels having a first camming recess on one marginal edge near the end of the film and a second camming recess on the opposite marginal edge at the beginning of the film, a drive spool for transferring the film from the supply reel to the rewind reel, power operated drive means for operating said drive spool, a rewind mechanism for transferring the film from the rewind reel back to the supply reel, a follower movable into said first camming recess to mechanically cut oif the power to said drive means to stop the unwinding of film from said supply reel, manual means for shifting said reel case to place said reels in rewind position and to connect the power to said drive means, and a second camming arm movable into said second camming recess'to actuate said rewind mechanism to transfer film back to the supply reel.

13. In a projector including a source of light and a projecting lens, a support structure, a carriage slidably mounted in said structure, power means tending to slide said carriage, a plurality of film carrying reels secured to said carriage for movement therewith, the movement of said carriage determining the selective ositioning of the film from one of said reels in projecting position, a stop mechanism engaging said carriage to prevent movement thereof, a selectively operable element corresponding to each reel and connected to said stop mechanism for releasing said carriage for sliding movement by said power means, an indexing means having contact members corresponding respectively to said reels, the contact of one of said members with a selectively 15 operated element effecting resetting of said stop mechanism and stopping of said carriage with the selected reel in projecting osition.

MANUEL L. DORNELLAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 16,769 Gauriat 2,. Oct. 11, 1927 1,313,733 Ramsher Aug. 19, 1919 Number Number Great Britain Dec. 8, 1924 

